ABSTRACT

QFD differs from the tools of Continual Improvement in as much that the latter is concerned with the improvement of something that already exists whereas QFD is a collection of tools which can be used for planning something new. This can be a new product, a function, even the development of Hoshin Kanri. Indeed several of the tools of QFD have already been used in the earlier chapters to create the Vision Statement and conversion to KPIs. It is the seventh of the key means for achieving the Goals of Hoshin Kanri. It is a term used to describe the systematic application of techniques for ensuring Quality throughout each stage of the product or service development process, starting with market research and ending with feedback on customer satisfaction.